Match Report - Forfar Athletic

East Fife 1-1 Forfar Athletic, Saturday 30^th September 2023

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two

East Fife’s performance took a slight dip at the weekend, as they had to settle for their second consecutive league draw, conceding late against Ray Mackinnon’s Forfar Athletic side and sharing the spoils at MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

The Loons had two great chances in the opening 10 minutes due to unforced errors, and they forced stopper Allan Fleming into two reaction saves, but they could not capitalise on Fife’s nervy start.

After 12 minutes however, the Methil Men took the lead against the run of play. Nathan Austin fantastically nodded the ball down to Alan Trouten, who hit the ball with the outside of his boot on the half volley, nestling the ball in the top corner, leaving the goalie with absolutely no chance.

There were little opportunities in the rest of the first half, though Forfar controlled the contest, particularly in the middle of the park, and it was clear that the half time whistle benefitted the Fifers more than the Loons.

Forfar also had the lion’s share of the attacks in the opening stages of the second period too, with Paterson causing the Fife backline all sorts of bother, cutting inside and beating his men on the outside on numerous occasions.

Despite this, the Fifers should have killed the game in the 65th minute and would have if it weren’t for the world class defending from Morrison. Shepherd broke away and hammered down the right flank with blistering pace, he then cut inside, along the by-line and steadied himself, before a lovely, drilled pass was fired along the ground. Healy looked set to meet it, and bag his first of the season, but Morrison got there first and flicked it behind for a corner.

The equaliser came in the 80th minute, in a scramble from a whipped corner, allowing the Morrison to head home, and ensure the visitors did not return to Forfar empty handed. It was a disappointing way to end the game, as East Fife had shown resilience and patience throughout as they struggled on the park.

All eyes turn to the road now, as East Fife head back to the capital this weekend, to face highflyers Bonnyrigg Rose. The Rosey Posey have failed to win in their last 3, however they still occupy the final playoff spot. East Fife hold onto 8th place, 5 points behind that crucial playoff place.

Report by Oli Anderson

East Fife – Fleming, Page, Docherty (Philp 78’), Easton, McManus, Trouten, Healy, Walls (Comerford 85’), Shepherd (Schiavone 85’), Austin (Mitchell 85’). Subs not used: Ramsay, Black, Nicol. Hambrook, Beveridge

Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Nditi, Allan, Morrison, Moore, Whatley (Ross 64’), Robson, Paterson, Munro, Macleod (Watson 73’), Skelly. Subs not used: Brindley, Hutchinson, Paris

Referee – Alex Shepherd

Attendance - 575

Hospitality v Stranraer - 21st October 2023

We’re delighted to bring you details of a hospitality special we’re offering for our next home match against Stranraer on Saturday 21^st October at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

• Arrive at 1.00pm
• 1 course carvery meal
• Match ticket
• Half-time tea/coffee and snacks
• Pay bar available

This package is available from just £30/person (£20 for season ticket holders).

To book, contact the club office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01333 426323

Match Highlights - Forfar Athletic

Highlights from yesterday's match against Forfar Athletic along with post-match reaction from Greig McDonald, Brian Easton and Jacob Comerford.

Match Preview - Forfar Athletic

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Forfar Athletic

This afternoon, the Fifers are back in action at the wooden fortress, hosting Forfar Athletic at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, in a mouth-watering encounter. East Fife kept their unbeaten run in-tact last week, with a fantastic comeback from 2 goals down, salvaging a draw against newly promoted The Spartans at Ainslie Park. Another goal for Scott Shepherd along with Nathan Austin’s first goal this league campaign saw the Methil Men bringing a point home from the Capital, showing that there is still much fight in the Fifers.

Our opponents are also on a 3-game unbeaten run themselves, most recently picking up their maiden league win of the season, overcoming Stranraer 2-0 at Stair Park. Goals from Ryan Paterson after 10 minutes, and then Josh Skelly just before half time did the damage, giving the Loons a platform to build on, that hopefully the Fifers can knock down this coming Saturday.

The Standings

Position	Team	Played	Pts	GD
1	Stenhousemuir	7	14	7
2	Peterhead	7	13	4
3	Bonnyrigg Rose	7	11	5
4	Dumbarton	7	11	2
5	Stranraer	7	11	-4
6	The Spartans	7	10	1
7	Forfar Athletic	7	7	-1
8	East Fife FC	7	6	-4
9	Elgin City	7	5	-5
10	Clyde	7	5	-5

Across the League Last Week

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Clyde 2-1 Elgin City

Dumbarton 0-1 Peterhead

Stranraer 0-2 Forfar Athletic

The Spartans 2-2 East Fife FC

This Weekend’s Action

Dumbarton (4) vs Stranraer (5)

East Fife FC (8) vs Forfar Athletic (7)

Peterhead (2) vs Elgin City (9)

Stenhousemuir (1) vs Clyde (10)

The Spartans (6) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (3)

The Form

The Fife

East Fife have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 6, accumulating 5 points from 5 league game, as well as progression in the SPFL Trust Trophy. The two losses came against Stenhousemuir, at Bayview last month, when goals from Buchanan and Brown sunk the Fifers. Our other loss was “through the west”, as we fell short against Dumbarton at the Rock, despite looking the better outfit for the majority of the contest. It was another late goal which stung us, as Crighton’s bullet header soared in in the 88th minute.

Our first draw was against The Spartans last week, where the Fifers stood up, and were all counted putting in a shift in the second half to rescue the point. Our other draw was not quite as positive a result, as we slumped in the first half against Elgin City in August, going into the half time interval a goal down. The Fifers showed signs of promise, but could not find the clear-cut opportunity, relying on an Alan Trouten penalty to ensure that we did not leave the Highlands empty handed.

Our first win in the last 6 came against Albion Rovers in the 3rd round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. As has been the story of our season, the Fifers sauntered in at the interval a goal down, after a goal from Niyah Joseph after 30 minutes gave the Rovers the lead. This did not deter the Fifers however, who with fire in their bellies, dominated the second period, grabbing two goals, completing the turnaround thanks to goals from Jonathan Page and Connor McManus. Our other victory came a fortnight ago against Clyde, in a game the Fifers controlled from the 1st to the 91st. Scott Shepherd scored early on, breaking East Fife’s hoodoo of conceding the first goal, and Trouten was able to add to the lead after 70 minutes, killing the game as a result.

The Visitors

The Loons have faced a similar fate in their last 6 games; however, they lost out in the Trust Trophy second round on penalties to Elgin City.

Their league form has also seen one win, two draws and two losses in their last 5. Their win came last week, against Stranraer while their two draws came against newly relegated Clyde, in a goalless affair, and also against newly promoted The Spartans, drawing 2-2. Forfar had to fight back as well, as they trailed 2-1 at half time, but a Kieran Watson own goal was enough to get them over the line.

The Loons’ losses came at the hands of Dumbarton and Bonnyrigg Rose. They actually took the lead against Dumbarton through Seb Ross, but it was all for naught as a late flurry put the Loons to bed, as Dumbarton ran out 3-1 winners.

The side dropped to 10 men against Bonnyrigg, after already being 2-1 down, which made it routine for the Rosey Posey, who dispatched of Ray Mackinnon’s struggling men.

Previous Encounter

The two sides last met on the final day of the cinch League Two season from the previous campaign. Due to Fife’s heroics in the prior week, the playoff spot was already confirmed, making this game an unimportant contest, and manager Greig McDonald opted to rotate the majority of the side.

East Fife started brightly as their young front line of Aiden Denholm, Connor Young and the standout performer Taylor Steven all had too much pace and flair for the Loons’ backline.

After 7 minutes, there was a penalty shout for East Fife, however the referee booked Denholm instead for simulation.

Ten minutes later, Roberto Nditi ended up in the book for a poor challenge as he clattered through two Fife men on his venture to retrieve the ball.

He was eventually sent packing after he was given a second booking for diving after half an hour of play. East Fife did all but score in the remainder of the first half, as they forced Marc McCallum into making an incredible save, and the two sides went in at the break even.

The second half was more of the Marc McCallum show as he made two fantastic saves in the half. He first denied Aidan Denholm’s curled effort, doing well to pluck it out of the bottom corner.

McCallum also denied substitute Schiavone from point blank range, with an outstretched arm directing the ball off target from the 6-yard line.

The telling moment of the half came with just 5 minutes to go. East Fife built up play superbly, in a 3-on-2 situation, Steven used his pace to burst away before laying it to Schiavone on the penalty spot for a one-on-one with the ‘keeper. Unbelievably, the youngster could not keep his shot down, as it flew over the crossbar.

Forfar took this as a boost and they charged down the other end and scored the winner as Matthew Aitken tapped a cross past Beveridge from close range, ending East Fife’s 22/23 league campaign with a defeat.

Squad News

Outs- Pat Slattery, Stewart Murdoch and Charlie Murray still miss out due to previous injuries and are joined this week on the injury list by midfielder Kieran Millar

Ins- No fresh returns this week leaves Toro with a slightly depleted squad for the weekend.

However, there is some good news to report as Slattery has started running again and Murray has begun light training as they both continue their rehab from early season injuries. Also, Murdoch calf injury isn’t as bad as first feared and the Club Captain could be looking at a return within the next 2-3 weeks.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120^th anniversary black and gold top, matched with white socks and shorts today, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the new, all yellow kit for the match.

Forfar Athletic will be in mint green and navy for the clash, with mint socks, while the Loons goalkeeper with wear all green.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:

Adults- £18

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14

Under 16s- £5

Parent and 1 child- £21

Parent and 2 children- £24

Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview so supporters are strongly encouraged to buy their tickets online where possible however they can be purchased from the matchday receptions for those unable to do so.

Parent & Child tickets must be purchased in person.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international viewer. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass.

Unfortunately, this game isn’t available to viewers within the UK or Ireland.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Alex Shepherd while his assistants running the line are Michael MacDermid and Regan Wallace.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm pre-kick off on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will also be open after full-time for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2:00pm. Both cash and card are accepted.

Match Programme

Issue Number 6 for the 2023/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match for £2.50. This week’s edition includes a free East Fife Supporter pennant.

Those unable to attend tomorrow’s match can order their programme online for home delivery.

MON THE FIFE!

Fixture Confirmation - The New Saints

Our SPFL Trust Trophy 4th round match against The New Saints will take place on Saturday 14th October at Park Hall Stadium with a 5:15pm kick off.

Ticket prices will be announced in due course.

The 1903 Travel Club will be running a bus to this fixture. The approximate cost of the trip is £35/person (final cost dependant on final numbers) and seats must be filled by this Monday (2^nd October).

Anyone wishing to travel on the bus should contact Ian Lowson before Monday to reserve their seat.